The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-26
THE PROTEST..

is a fair, beautiful girl of eighteen.
The groom, 4 tall, dark man. several
wears older than the bride, might sit
for Il picture of Dyron's CorSair. They
have taken their position at the altar,
and the ceremony commences amidst
the hushed silence of the aristocratic
throne, who have gathered TO witness
The rites.
The minister has arrived At that por-
ton of the service which declares that
If there be any reason why this man
and this woman shall not be joined to-
gcthcr in the holy bonds of wedlock, it
shall now be proclaimed. AS he pauses
a moment, according to custom, otter
reading this sentence, the silence is
broken by a sepulchrd voice issuing
from the body of the church. which
cries: Hold. | forbid the bans! That
woman is already bound by a secret
marriage to a living husband"
All is confusion in al instant, there
is n murmur OF amazement and suspi-
cion throughout the church. The bride
falls fainting upon the altar, and is car
ried to the vestry.
Norris Langley. the groom hastens to
the center of the church, from which
spot the dissenting voice had seemed to
emanate, bnt his search is fruitless. for
no one has seen the person who uttered
the protest. Let whoever has dared
to make this foul accusation against an
innocent girl stand forth and have the
lie crammed down his false tbroat!'
exalaims he. But his challenge meets
with no response.
Tho swoon Of the bride continues so
long that her friends are becoming
alarmed when Langley appears; then
the others retire ami leave them alone.
"Athol. my own, my darling! Speak
70 me-say that il is not true!'
The beautiful blue eyes unclose TO
meet those of her lover bent a~nxiously
above her. 20 Norris, what is itP
What does 1t meanP"
DO YOU not know? Oh. my own
love. say that he liedl' he entreats.
"Do you doubt meP" rising to her
feet with stately GOODNESS.
No. no. my darling" lie says, ''only
| long to hear you refute it-say there
il not even Il shadow of truth in what
he said!'
No, MIR. Langley. shall not graft
~ YOU answers Ath0l Clifford, haught-
lis. ut is clear to me that you have
doubts. or you would require no OK
PLANTATION"
Oh. Alhol! is it possible you refuse
10 make any?"
Enough. sirl" she cries indignant
Nv. Drawing n ring from her finger,
She lays il on the table. turns away and
bursts into n passion of weeping.
Norris is at her side in q moment, with
his arm around her, saying: "Think no
more of it my love. Let us return TO the
altar at once and have the ceremony fin
ished.'
''Neverl" exclaims Athol. Disengag-
ing herself from his encirclng arms,
she sweeps from the room. and enter
ing her carriage. sdriven rapidly away
without exchanging a word with any
one.
Il is a year later. The August sun,
full and golden. pours its dazzling bril-
lance ovor the promenaders who
throng the beach.
.'Athol Clifford is going on just the
same as ever" observes a lady to a
friend. who is sitting on the piazza Of
the hotel, enjoying the band and alittle
goss y mt the Same time. "Only look. "
she continues, rs n handsome couple
pass, close 10 view; near enough for
them TO sec tie look of passionate ado
ration which the gentleman gives his
companion. ''Weil. l am not surprised.
That girl Is a thorough coquette!'
by the way" remarks the second
lady, ''who was it that prevented her
marriage with Mr.. LangleyP | was in
Europe Mt the time, and only heard a
rumor Of the affair. which created quite
a sensation. IL was said that she was
married already. Has i ever been as
.c~ertained whether u was true OF ~falseP''
Never. One story afloat was that
Norris Langley hired the man TO prevent
the marriage. being anxious TO break
with her at the last moment; and for
INV part. | believe that version. j can
we'll imagine how CALLING It must have
been 10 a proud. reserved man. such a'
Mr.. Lanpley. 10 find the woman he ex'
pccted 10 make his wife so insatiate in
btr thirst for admiration. She ALWAYS
Al No. 10 make herself 90 corsp'cu